Korean shipbuilders embrace ammonia-fueled solutions

By Julian Atchison on September 28, 2021

Samsung Heavy Industries

In July Wärtsilä announced successful testing of 70% ammonia fuel in marine engines at its Vaasa facility in Finland (a test engine from the site is pictured)
Click to learn more. In July Wärtsilä announced successful testing of 70% ammonia fuel in marine engines at its Vaasa facility in Finland (a test engine from the site is pictured).

SHI and Wärtsilä have agreed to a new joint development program. The pair will look to develop new-build vessels with 4-stroke, ammonia-fueled auxiliary engines, with a focus on container vessels and very large crude carriers. The 4-stroke auxiliary engines complement 2-stroke main engines, but it was not indicated whether SHI and Wärtsilä intend for these main engines to also be ammonia-fueled.

There is a lot of interest from owners and operators in the potential for new clean-burning fuels, and ammonia is thought to be among the most promising of these candidates. Wärtsilä has already made significant progress in testing ammonia, and we are pleased to work together with them to bring this to reality.

Youngkyu Ahn, Vice President SHI in the official press release, 22 September 2021

Hyundai Heavy Industries and Korean Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering Co.

BV and HHI executives at the AiP delivery ceremony.
Click to learn more. BV and HHI executives at the AiP delivery ceremony. Source: BV.

Bureau Veritas has awarded Approval in Principle to HHI and KSOE for their new vessel design. The ammonia-fueled, ammonia-carrying Very Large Gas Carrier (VLGC) design features four prismatic-type cargo tanks with a total capacity of 91,000 m3. The press release indicates ammonia will be the new vessel’s sole cargo.